Darius dropped his hand from her back. “Remember, no’ all humans are without magic.”
Right. “The Druids. Too bad I didn’t get to meet them.”
“They were at the flat after you were hit with Dark magic. They healed you.”
Lexi raised her gaze to the ceiling in frustration. “Of course.” She lowered her face and Guy’s hands went on either side of her head.
His gaze was penetrating, seeking, and no matter what she did, she couldn’t look away. His voice was steady and soft, lulling her to trust him even though she couldn’t understand a word he was saying.
Then his words became clear. “Listen to me carefully, Lexi. As soon as I release you, you’re going to turn around and go through security and never look back. Close your eyes.”
She did as he commanded and felt his hands fall away.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-THREE
Thorn saw Guy and Darius exit the airport. So it was done. Lexi was on her way home with no memories of the Dark, him, or their kiss.
It was for the best. He knew it even as inside he yelled for her.
Thorn remained where he was until Darius and Guy joined him. Darius gave him a single nod. That’s all he needed to be assured that everything had gone to plan.
“She seemed nice,” Guy said.
Thorn turned his back to the airport. If he remained, he might go to her. “She is.”
“You do know that when I erase memories that I see them, aye?”
Of course Thorn knew that. He turned his head to Guy. “And your point?”
“She experienced a lot in a short time. She saw you and Darius in true form and didna run away. Then there was the kiss.”
Thorn halted and whirled around to face Guy. “Never mention that again. I let her go for her safety.”
Guy’s expression said he thought Thorn a fool. “Was that wise?”
“Aye.” Thorn didn’t wait around for more questions. He had Dark to kill. He strode off, leaving the two of them behind.
Guy looked at Darius who was staring at the airport. “You didna agree with Thorn’s request.”
“In a way I did,” Darius said. He swiveled his head to Guy. “The chemistry between them might have begun slow, but it heated fast. I think Thorn is scared that history might repeat itself.”
“Is it that, or did he fear that she might verra well be his?”
Darius shrugged and said, “I guess we’ll never know now, will we?”
“It’s a shame. I think Lexi would fit in nicely at Dreagan.”
“It’s no’ our decision. It’s Thorn’s, and he’s let her go.”
Guy held up his hands at Darius’s harsh tone. “I’ll no’ say more. Good hunting.”
“Same to you,” Darius replied and walked away.
Guy turned to the terminal. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Thorn had made a grave mistake. Guy didn’t just see memories. If a feeling was strong enough, he felt it. And he certainly felt Lexi’s hurt that Thorn hadn’t said good-bye.
That emotion was almost as strong as the one that hungered for Thorn.
“Farewell, Lexi,” Guy said.
* * *
Rhi saw Balladyn step from the Fae doorway. She had known he would come. The smile he bestowed was warm with hope shining in his eyes.
“You called,” he said with a smile.
Rhi licked her lips and fidgeted under the heat of the harsh sun. “I did. I knew if anyone could answer my question, it would be you.”
“Now you have my curiosity piqued. What is it you wish to know?” he asked as he came to stand before her. His hand lifted and a finger grazed her arm.
“The Reapers.”
Balladyn laughed, one side of his mouth quirking up in a grin. “A tale told to scare children.”
“It also scares adults.”
Balladyn waved away her words. “Yes, because they heard them as children.”
“You studied our Fae history as much as my brother. Rolmir knew facts. I need to know facts.”
Balladyn’s smile dropped. A frown formed as he looked at her. “You’re serious.”
“Of course I am.” Then she sighed and cut him a look. “You think I used that as a ruse to get you here?”
“The thought had crossed my mind,” he stated in a flat tone.
Rhi met his red eyes. “I wouldn’t do that.”
He turned away from her and ran his hands through his black and silver hair that fell midway down his back. “All legends are based on myth.”
“And myths are based on truth. I need the truth of the Reapers.”
Balladyn looked at her for long moments. “The legend we were told said that if we didn’t behave the Reapers would come for us in our sleep and steal us away.”
“Then there was the part about doing Dark magic,” she added.
“We know that part isn’t true.”
“Do we? Dark Fae come up missing all the time.”
Balladyn made a face. “They were careless and got killed.”
“That’s the legend. Where do we go next?”
Balladyn stared at the sand. “I know I read something about the Reapers once, but I can’t bring it to mind.”
“Will you look?” she asked.
His gaze lifted to her. “Why do you want this information?”
“There is talk everywhere I go of the Reapers suddenly. I just … I have a feeling it’s important.”
“Then I’ll see what I can find.”
Rhi was beginning to smile when he added, “For a price.”
She should’ve known. “What’s the price?”
His hand cupped her face as his lips descended on hers. He kissed her hard, passionately, and pulled back before she could end it.
“That’s half up front,” Balladyn said with a wink before he vanished.
* * *
Lexi was glad of the security screening of the passengers, but it was a nightmare to get through. She was on the way to her gate when she saw the bar.
She climbed onto a padded stool and looked over the various bottles lining the glass shelves. It would be nice to have a drink before she boarded the plane and took the eight-hour flight—in coach—back home.
Since she didn’t have her friends with her, she was likely to end up sitting next to a screaming kid. She was never lucky enough to sit next to a handsome, single guy.
“What can I get you?” asked the bartender with a friendly smile.
Lexi shrugged as she looked at him. “I’m in Scotland, so let’s go with whisky.”
“A fine choice.” He motioned to the bottles of Scottish whisky, which proved to be more abundant than any other type of liquor. “Which would you like?”
She look askance at the number of bottles to choose from. “Give me the best you have.”
“The best?” he asked, brows raised.
“The best.”
A few seconds later she had a glass before her. He set the bottle to the side. “You’re going to enjoy this brand. It is the finest Scotch whisky in the world. It’s expensive though.”
“I’m only here once.” She handed him her credit card, and raised the glass to inhale the flavor.
Normally she couldn’t stand the smell of whisky, but this had a nice aroma that made her think of mountains, heather, and lochs.
She took a small sip. To her surprise, it went down smooth with only a slight burn. Lexi had three more tastes by the time the bartender returned with her credit card.
“I’ll leave the bottle for you to look at. There’s a lot of history at the distillery that you can read about on the label.”
Lexi thanked him as he walked off to tend to another customer. She wished now she had tried whisky when she first arrived in Scotland. She had balked about going to a distillery, but that had obviously been a mistake.
She put her wallet back in her purse and felt something hard in the lining. Lexi opened her purse wide and felt along the sides. It took her a minute to find the slit in the lining.